Recollections, Reminiscences, & Remembrances
From Mom and Uncle John
From time to time, Mom has been sharing some memories of her youth with me.
One day we were talking about farms, "When I was young, my dad used to take us to farm auctions. Mainly for equipment, but occasionally for animals as well.
"Being out in the country, there were farms and fields, with lots of animals. We had a house and a subdivision. In fact, most families had both for their properties. The house was the original branch one sold to Dad and other buildings or additions to them would be created later."
Having seen photos of the previous St. Louis home, I said to mom that it appeared that the house was on a flat area at the top of the hill. Did you have to drive/walk up the hill to get to the house?
"Yes, it was up on a little rise."
Barbara, Nancy & Susan in front of the St Louis home on Easter Sunday.
""My Grandpa Cook used to make a salad with iceberg lettuce, a can each of peas and carrots adding mayonnaise dressing. Grandpa Cook was pretty clever when it came to cooking since he knew the basics. My grandma Nell didn’t do much cooking but grandpa could. Every morning he made us oatmeal for breakfast and sometimes he would make chocolate meringue pies!"
Great Grandpa Cook
"When Grandpa Cook made us pancakes, I would help and I used to like to make little pancakes for my dolls, which would drive grandpa crazy!
"After a meal I would help with washing the dishes. I did have to stand on a chair because I wasn’t tall enough. I liked the coffee percolator cause it had the basket part that have all the little holes in it! Putting in the soap and making bubbles I was having fun with that while Grandpa Cook was getting a bit frustrated with me!"
COMES TO
"There once was a Hollywood movie crew that came to film in Cloverdale during the mid 1950's. They were there to film a movie called, "Many Rivers To Cross".
Released in 1955, the movie starred Robert Taylor and Eleanor Parker. According to Mom, "At age 12, I remember hearing my Aunt Eleanor and mom talk about it. They were so excited to learn that a movie was being made in their town."
Below is a trailer for the film.
MORE MEMORIES & STORIES OF MY MOM BARBARA BRUEMMER
BY MY MOM NANCY SEITAS
Great Grandpa Cook On His Tractor
A WAITRESS OF THE 1930'S
"Did you know that my Grandpa cook taught your grandma Barbara how to drive a tractor?"
"Also did you know that your Grandma Bruemmer was a waitress when she was going to school?
"Sometimes when my Mom took us kids out to dinner, she would look at the waitress and say, she’s not saving her key meaning she’s making an extra trip but she doesn’t need to in getting the food/refills or other items to and from the tables."
On Tuesday, June 23 both Uncle John and Aunt Katy traveled down to California and paid us to a visit.
While catching up on our lives, I took out my cell phone and asked Uncle John if he had any favorite memories to share of both great grandma Nell and grandma Bruemmer.
Indeed he did and with his kind permission am posting it here to share with you. While talking about his memories, he shared ones I did not know and even mom also added a few of her own.
Uncle John does talk softly so you may have to turn the volume up on you computer.
